NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 9, 2023) – North Alabama Volleyball will be competing in their final regular season matches this weekend, traveling to Tennessee for matchups against Lipscomb on Friday, Nov. 10 and Austin Peay on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
UNA faces the Bison and Governors for the second time this season, defeating the Govs in straight sets before falling to Lipscomb in three back in late September. The Lions will make the return trip to Nashville and Clarksville before turning their attention to the ASUN Volleyball Championships, starting Nov. 16 in Fort Myers, Fla.
Last week, North Alabama wrapped up its final home matches of the season, sweeping the Bellarmine Knights on Nov. 3 before defeating the Colonels of EKU on Nov. 5 during Senior Day. This added two more wins to UNA's Division I era record for wins at 16, while avenging road losses to Bellarmine and EKU back in September.
Tickets are available for purchase for the match against Lipscomb, while the match against Austin Peay is free admission. Live stats will be provided for both matches through StatBroadcast, and matches can be streamed on ESPN+, respectively.
MATCHUP
Game 1
North Alabama at Lipscomb
Friday, November 10
6 p.m.
Game Notes | Live Stats | Tickets | Watch
Game 2
North Alabama at Austin Peay
Saturday, November 11
6 p.m.
Game Notes | Live Stats | Watch
NOTES
Griggs Getting It Done: North Alabama graduate middle blocker/right side hitter Anna Katherine Griggs was announced as the Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball Player of the Week by the league office on Monday, Nov. 6, receiving the honor for the second time this season. Griggs averaged a .719 hitting percentage with 24 total kills in two victories over Bellarmine and EKU, setting a career mark with a .818 attack percentage on nine kills in the three-set sweep of the Knights. The current ASUN leader in hitting percentage also finished with a match-high .667 attack percentage and 15 kills in the four-set victory over EKU.
Postseason Prep: Two matches stand between North Alabama and the postseason, as the Lions clinched their first-ever ASUN Volleyball Championship berth in the victories over Bellarmine and EKU last week. UNA currently sits fifth in the standings with a 16-10 overall record (8-6 ASUN). Joining UNA with early postseason berths are FGCU, Lipscomb, EKU, Kennesaw State and North Florida. Stetson, Bellarmine and Jacksonville are jockeying for the final two spots this weekend.
The Bank = The Fort: CB&S Bank Arena proved to be a difficult place to play for opposing teams this season, with the home-court advantage paying dividends in wins over two of the top four ASUN teams. Since joining the ASUN in 2018, the Lions have steadily improved their performance in home matches, going from eight home wins in the first four years to 15 in the past two seasons. This season's 9-2 record at home marks the most in the Division I era for UNA and the most home wins in a season since 2017 — the last season of NCAA Division II.
Home in the Shoals: In the last two seasons, the UNA volleyball and basketball programs have combined for a 36-17 record inside CB&S Bank Arena.
Meeting History: North Alabama faces Lipscomb and Austin Peay for the second time this season. Lipscomb leads the all-time series with UNA 12-1 with UNA's win coming in Spring 2021. The Lions seek their first road win in Nashville this weekend. Meanwhile, the Lions are 5-3 against the Govs dating back to 1979.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
